want your thoughts on my progress

[Spyyder]

So I've been cubing for about two weeks, and I just started doing intuitive F2L and 4LLL and I've been recording averages this week and I want your thoughts on my progression.

Personal best: 53:97

11/6/08
Average(of 12): 1:17.42
Individual Times: 1:23.84, 1:18.95, (54.17), 1:10.92, 1:19.66, 1:25.25, 1:23.53, 1:15.98, (1:40.81), 1:03.25, 1:20.63, 1:12.22

11/7/08
Average(of 5): 1:16:23
Individual Times: 1:17:81, 1:10.74, (1:35.44), 1:12.39, (1:04.77)

11/9/08
Average: 1:10.68
Individual Times: 1:13.25, 1:11.58, (1:02.86), 1:07.67, (1:19.80), 1:19.72, 1:05.73, 1:11.84, 1:10.78, 1:04.89, 1:14.03, 1:07.28

11/10/08
Average: 1:07.99
Individual Times: 1:08.77, 1:08.97, 1:06.77, 1:09.44, (1:20.27), 1:06.48, 1:12.91, (54.33), 1:06.95, 1:08.34, 1:09.33, 1:01.95

11/11/08
Average: 1:03.94
Individual Times: 1:06.63, 1:05.38, 1:01.50, 1:02.31, 1:05.52, (1:11.38), 1:01.42, 1:05.61, 1:07.86, 1:01.52, (55.61), 1:01.64

Also, on my DIY(old type A I think) one of the sides seems a lot tighter than the others, I've tried loosening the screw but it didn't really help. That side being tighter distracts me when im cubing so I tried tightening the other 5 sides to get a consistent feel but the other sides still turn better. :confused:

 

[DavidWoner]

Ok the problem with your cube may be that the screw on that side is probably not in straight. Take it out and try to get it in a little straighter. but be careful, you don't want to damage the core while you are doing this.

as for you progress, you are making fast and steady progress, which is to be expected at your speed. intuitive F2L doesnt appear to be giving you any problems at the moment. whatever you are doing, keep it for now. Just concentrate on good F2L, once you are familiar with all the cases and how to do them, then concentrate on looking ahead to the next pair while you are solving the first. Once your F2L is down to about 20 seconds then start learning PLLs. Also, practice doing your cross in as few moves as you can, there are videos to help you with this.

 

[fcwy1]

you are making quite good progress, considering this is your 2nd week.

maybe you would like to give a break down of your solves?
example,
cross-xxsec
f2L-xxsec
2Loll-xxsec
2Lpll-xxsec

 

[Spyyder]

cross- 3-5sec
f2l - 35-40sec(terrible look ahead)
oll - around 10 seconds
pll - 5-10 seconds.

I just printed out some f2l algs so I can study the cases some to hopefully cut out some cube rotations in that step. I'm also going to start memorizing all the pll's, I can probably memorize 1 alg every 2 days or so.

 

[amostay2004]

Your cross is REALLY fast for that average..when I was at 1min average my cross was like 10+secs..I guess your main point to improve is F2L

But I don't think you're at a level where you need to study cases and reduce cube rotations...I've done that only when I'm around 20+secs average..and I still rotate the cube all over during F2L now...lol.

Just...keep up the good work..you're doing very good =)

 

[Spyyder]

heh, i just find the edges and try to plan all my moves before I start the solve, im not always able to plan the whole cross though.

I suck at F and B face moves so I just rotate the cube when i would have to do those moves, but I keep reading about how bad cube rotations are.

 

[not_kevin]

Your cross is REALLY fast for that average..when I was at 1min average my cross was like 10+secs..I guess your main point to improve is F2L

But I don't think you're at a level where you need to study cases and reduce cube rotations...I've done that only when I'm around 20+secs average..and I still rotate the cube all over during F2L now...lol.

Just...keep up the good work..you're doing very good =)

That's what I thought, too; that cross is crazy good. Improving F2L is probably your best bet.

About cube rotations, don't worry about that too much. Granted, Yu Nakajima utilizes empty slots for ease, but he turns the cube for each F2L pair. And he's one of the world's best.

 

[mrbiggs]

Your times are going down, which is a good thing.


If your times were consistently going up, you would probably want to change up how you're doing things.


:rolleyes:

 

[fcwy1]

I feel that you should just concentrate on improving your F2L.
Once again, Go slow and look ahead to reduce pauses and practice.

learn all OLL and PLL and practise to get them at a fast time after you have reduced your F2L to 20sec.

 

[Raffael]

yeah, i agree with the above: your cross is really good.
but don't bother learning algs for F2L, just practice intuitive.
you might want to take a look into this:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKvOXE__CM

that guy seems to know what he's talking about PLUS he's got a nice accent. I bet he's asian.

 

[fcwy1]

Another way to learn F2L is to see algs for the f2L and study the logic behind them.


Edit: Then memorise each case what you are supposed to do.

 

[Spyyder]

Another way to learn F2L is to see algs for the f2L and study the logic behind them

Thats what im doing, looking at the algs to see how they handle the problems. I've already learned a few things.

and I just set a new personal best of 53.69. xD look ahead ftw!

 

[cookingfat]

that's very good for 2 weeks, I was about a minute at that stage, but my times were not as consistent as yours and my times increased slightly when I learn't fridrich F2L. Your cross is really fast, I still struggle with the cross.

About F2L cases, I can assure you, the more you practice and see these cases regularly the quicker you'll be able to execute them. I'm still learning and I see improvements in my F2L all the time, you'll just get used to slotting the pairs in at different angles to avoid rotations etc. As you get used to executing the cases, you can start looking for the next pair as you are inserting them.

perhaps start learning the PLLs, it took me a while but it does reduce your times.

good job on the pb too, it's always good to beat records.

 

[amostay2004]

The guy with the nice accent and whom you think is ASIAN...is Erik..lol.

On topic, I think you should focus on reducing pauses instead of reducing cube rotations...perform your F2L slowly and look for the next pair as you are solving one